MUSEUM OVERVIEW

Opened on June 24, 2023, the International African American Museum (IAAM) honors the untold stories of the African American journey at one of our country’s most sacred sites. The museum is about a journey that began centuries ago in Africa, and still continues. It is about the journey of millions of Africans, captured and forced across the Atlantic in the grueling and inhumane Middle Passage, who arrived at Gadsden’s Wharf in Charleston, South Carolina and other ports in the Atlantic World. Their labor, resistance, and ingenuity – and that of their descendants – have shaped every aspect of our world.

IAAM has become a champion of authentic, empathetic storytelling of African American history and thus is one of the nation’s newest platforms for the disruption of institutionalized racism as America continues the walk toward “a more perfect union.” Named among TIME magazine's “World's Greatest Places 2024,” featured in The New York Times, and the recipient of various architectural and landscape design/gardens recognitions, the museum welcomed 200,000 visitors during its first year of operation.

The museum sits on the shoulders of 18 strong columns, 13 feet above the sacred grounds of the Gadsden’s Wharf site. On the ground level, the African Ancestors Memorial Garden highlights the original shoreline – the exact spot where so many captive Africans first set foot in America. There are gardens for quiet contemplation, as well as space for performances and programs.

The museum’s exhibitions share untold stories using classic techniques as well as new approaches driven by innovation, technology, and digital interactivity. Themes include connections across the African diaspora, the spread of African American culture and influence, highlights of the history and preservation of the Gullah-Geechee culture, and the movements – past and present – for justice and equality. Core exhibitions neither shy away from telling the story of the horrors and tragedy of slavery, nor omit the stories of skilled craftsmen and women who built the foundations of wealth, artistry, and infrastructure of America. The Center for Family History enables visitors to trace their genealogy, while changing exhibitions and special events keep the museum energized. Educational programs provide lifelong learning opportunities for visitors both young and old.

The museum strives to foster empathy and understanding, empowering visitors with knowledge of the past. The journey will challenge, illuminate, inspire, and ultimately, will move people to action.

CONTEXT FOR RECRUITMENT AND ROLE SUMMARY

Reporting to the President & CEO, the Chief Operating Officer & Vice President of Administration (COO) is IAAM’s chief administrative and operating officer. The COO will be an important catalyst in furthering IAAM’s commitment to explore the journey of millions of Africans captured and forced across the Atlantic in the Middle Passage, and to honor their labor, resistance, and ingenuity and that of their descendants as it shapes every aspect of our world. An integral member of the museum’s Executive Leadership Team, the COO will closely partner with senior colleagues across development, finance, marketing, and learning and engagement divisions as the museum moves into its next chapter of excellence to ensure all areas are aligned for success. This is a unique opportunity for an executive with excellent communication skills, demonstrated management ability, and an understanding of strategic and operational planning to deeply impact a prominent, first-voice cultural institution that has achieved successful launch and is entering a period of energetic growth and stabilization.

Bringing a new level of administrative and operational leadership to IAAM, the COO will be responsible for the strategic development, direction, and implementation of the following functions: human resources, talent, and culture; technology support; business operations; special events and rental sales; visitor services; facilities; and security. The COO oversees a team currently comprising about 30 positions as well as subcontracted services that complement technology support, facilities (custodial), and security teams.

The COO will lead a dynamic shift in the museum’s overall administrative and operations focus from construction and launch of the museum to now prioritizing its operational strength, organizational culture, strategic growth, and long-term sustainability. The COO will collaborate with the President & CEO and others to appropriately frame the museum’s overall approach to administrative and operational goals given this new stage in its organizational evolution.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

While it is understood that no one candidate will bring every desired skill, characteristic, and experience, the following offers a reflection of the ideal candidate profile for the COO.

Business Acumen and Operational Expertise

The COO will be a proven leader with 10+ years of successful operations and management experience in a museum or other visitor-facing, nonprofit organization. This leader will have a sophisticated understanding of strategic and operational planning as well as facilities management in complex environments. They will be energized by the prospect of evolving museum processes and systems and implementing best practices. They will promote a culture of excellence and high-quality execution at all levels within IAAM, providing outstanding stewardship for the advancement of the institution. Highly skilled in budget, financial (e.g., oversight of financial statements, executive financial reporting, and monitoring/accounting of restricted funds), and personnel management, this individual will have the perspective to consider the impact of decisions, strategic plans or initiatives, and programs on the museum, and make sound recommendations accordingly. The COO will have experience with project management, including conceptualizing projects and evaluating funding opportunities, with experience managing major capital expansions or building operations preferred. This leader will understand high-level human resources and culture management, including issues of supporting culture committed to diversity, inclusion, accessibility and equity, and legal compliance. They will have a demonstrated understanding of public policy and community affairs, and experience with city contracts and collaboration.

A Strategic and Influential Leader

With a proven record of converting strategy into effective execution, the COO will be a visionary builder with the ability to set priorities decisively, delegate responsibilities, ensure accountability, and allocate resources to produce results. A results-driven, tactical leader, the successful candidate will have a strong data and analysis orientation and a proven ability to use metrics to drive decisions and achieve strategic objectives. This will be a highly organized, analytical individual who functions well and follows through in a fast-paced, complex environment and able to set and meet team and personal deadlines. The COO will exhibit an adaptive leadership style, intellectual curiosity, and creativity, including the ability to listen to and learn from multiple voices, generate new ideas, and lead solution-building teams, particularly when it applies to IAAM’s administrative and operational goals. The COO will be driven by a mission of strengthening the capacity and success of team members through effective outlining of individual and team priorities, delegation, and shared responsibility. They will demonstrate the ability to manage, coach, motivate, and evaluate a team of colleagues in administration and operations, as well as a track record of maintaining best practices, clear goals, shared accountability, and comfort in leading cross-functional, matrixed teams when necessary to achieve results. The COO will possess excellent verbal and written communication skills, a collaborative spirit, and sense of humor and be able to work effectively with culturally and politically diverse populations.

An Action-Oriented Partner to the CEO

A task-driven leader, the COO will support the President & CEO in creating and executing the organization’s strategy, including assessing strategic initiatives to be in line with the organization’s standards and objectives. This leader will develop a synergy with the President & CEO, helping them to think through decisions and serving as their proxy as appropriate, thus allowing the President & CEO flexibility to focus on high-level strategy and external relations initiatives versus day-to-day administrative or operational considerations.

A Passion for the Mission

The successful candidate will embody IAAM’s values and mission to explore cultures and knowledge systems retained and adapted by Africans in the Americas, and the diverse journeys and achievements of these individuals and their descendants in South Carolina, the United States, and throughout the African Diaspora, and, as a result, will inspire and motivate those around them. Leading by example, the COO will call upon a strong faith in humanity, community-minded ethos, and understanding that empathy is an essential quality in treating others with respect. Deeply invested in fostering a sense of belonging for all staff, the COO will understand the importance of the integration of equity throughout policies, practices, management and culture. In particular, this leader will be passionate about policy and advocacy in the African American community. The COO will be an individual of unquestioned integrity, ethics and values – someone who can be trusted without reservation.

UNDERREPRESENTED GROUPS AND INCLUSION

IAAM acknowledges shared histories of historical exclusion and defines underrepresented groups as those from African American, LatinX/Hispanic, Asian and South Pacific, and Native American, Native Hawaiian, and Alaskan Native communities. Furthermore, IAAM acknowledges that gender-, gender-identity, and sexual orientation-based discriminatory practices exist and persist and seeks to recognize when women and LGBTQ persons must also be included in our definition of underrepresented groups within all communities.

IAAM aspires to equitable practice and consideration in all aspects of our business, inclusive of staffing, vendor spending, visitor welcome, content creation, and voice inclusion.

IAAM provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants without regard to race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or other non-merit-based factors.